Calculating Mass of Carbon 12 Atoms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of 6.022 x 10^6 atoms of Carbon 12. Participants explore the use of atomic mass units (amu) and Avogadro's number in the conversion process, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of the calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to set up the conversion for the mass of Carbon 12 atoms, mentioning the equation 1 amu = 1.6606 x 10^-24 g.
  • Another participant explains that 1 amu is defined as the 12th part of the mass of a C-12 atom, suggesting that this can be used to find the mass of a single C-12 atom.
  • A participant notes that 6.022 x 10^23 is Avogadro's number and states that the mass of this number of atoms weighs 1 amu.
  • Another reply reiterates that the mass of Avogadro's number of atoms corresponds to the molar mass of the element, clarifying the relationship between amu and the mass of C-12 atoms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints regarding the use of amu and Avogadro's number, indicating that there is no consensus on the best approach to set up the calculation.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions and relationships between amu, atomic mass, and molar mass are not fully explored, leaving room for potential misunderstandings in the conversion process.

vt33
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What is the mass (in grams) of 6.022 x 10^6 atoms Carbon 12? I am given the equation 1 amu=1.6606 x 10^-24 g, but I'm not sure if I should be using this in my conversion factor or not. Can anyone tell me how to set this up? I have a few ideas but unfortunately I don't have any way to check my answers to see if they're correct. Thanks in advance
 
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* 1 amu (apud 'atomic mass unit') is,by definition,the 12-th part of the mass of an atom of C-12,or numerically,[itex]\sim 1.66\cdot 10^{-27} Kg[/itex]
** So from "*" u can find the mass of a C-12 atom.
***Knowing the mass of an atom,it won't be too hard to find the mass of [itex]6.022 \cdot 10^{6}[/itex] atoms.

Daniel.
 
6.022 x 10^23 is avagadro number N,N no: atoms weigh 1 amu.
 
poolwin2001 said:
6.022 x 10^23 is avagadro number N,N no: atoms weigh 1 amu.

No poolwin, the mass of [itex]N_{av}[/itex] atoms is the molar mass of the element.

As Dexter has said already, [itex]1~ amu =\frac {mass~of~a~C-12~atom}{12}[/itex]
 

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